SOME of the earliest relics of a North-East town have been discovered in an archaeological dig.

Flint arrow heads and cutting blades from the Neolithic period about 5,000 years ago have been found at the Headland, in Hartlepool, by a team from Tees Archaeology, which is leading the dig.

People are also involved in the four-week dig at the edge of the Friarage Sports Field, which is extending the ground of a previous dig last year which uncovered the remains of the Anglo-Saxon monastery dating back to the seventh century.

More than 60 Neolithic items have already been discovered. As well as the arrow heads and the blades an rare piece of a decorated beaker has also been found.

Community archaeologist Mark Simmons said: "The Teesside area is quite fertile land with a long history of farming. Unfortunately, ploughing over the centuries has tended to pull early pottery up to the surface and destroy it so little remains.

"It is intriguing to imagine people 5,000 years ago on the Headland."

The dig has also revealed the remains of the post holes and other foundations of the Anglo-Saxon monastery which were unearthed in last year's excavations.

Several pieces of Anglo Saxon pottery have also been found, among them part of the base of a cooking pot, the design and texture of which indicates it was made at the monastery in Whitby.

Although there has never been any evidence of a Roman presence on the Headland, the archaeologists have found several silver coins from the time of the Emperor Constantinius.

The dig, which finishes at the end of next week, is the last to be organised by Tees Archaeology's three-year community archaeology project on the Headland.